Floating Structure

ABSTRACT

This invention is to offer the floating structure to change oil tanker and oil barge of single hull into that of double hull by simple method. This floating structure is provided with central tanks, wing tanks on right and left of central tank and gate at the end of the floating structure. This floating structure can change the oil tanker or oil barge of the single hull to double hull by leading-in and fixing oil tanker or oil barge of single hull in concave portion formed between the central tanks, wing tanks and the gate. The gate has the connecting coupler with tugboat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a floating structure which is used inthe river and the ocean.

2. Description of Related Art

The oil tanker and the oil barge of the single hull have the cargo oiltanks directly facing to the outside by a partitioned steel wall at itsbottom and side. (Hereafter, it is said “single hull”). However, theloaded cargo oil flows out from the damage part of cargo tank whendamage to which single hull tears in some causes of the collision,grounding, corrosion, and breakage, etc. is received, and oil willpollute the river and the ocean.

Therefore, cargo oil is obligated to be loaded inside of double skin ofthe oil tanker and the oil barge when transporting at sea (Hereafter, itis said “double hull”) by the international agreement (InternationalConvention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973 and Protocolof 1978).

On the other hand, it is internationally opened the riding type shipfloating dock that can dock the jet ski and the small craft. (Forinstance, refer to WO2005/076926). Here, it has the upper surface,bottom surface and the front side, the back side and the side thatextends between the upper surface and the bottom. It provides for thevolume and this may be filled with the buoyant material with the uppersurface, the bottom, the front side, the back, and the side, though thevolume is preferably filled with air. The dock has the receiving part ofship formed on the upper surface. The receiving part of ship opens inthe back of the dock, and has the entrance part that extends to forwardfrom the back of the dock and the center part at forward of the entrancepart. The center part in the receiving part of ship has the bottom andthe sidewall.

The above mentioned riding type ship floating dock can only dock theextremely small scale ships such as jet ski and small craft. That is, itis not the one to attempt a double hull change of a large-scale shipnamed the oil tanker and the oil barge to observe the internationalagreement because the height of the sidewall is set extremely lowcompared with the height of jet ski and small craft, though thereceiving part of ship of the riding type ship floating dock has thebottom and the sidewall.

In order to use to transport the oil tanker and the oil barge of singlehull in the ocean and the river, the remodeling construction work fromsingle hull to double hull (Hereinafter it is said “double hull change”)is needed for the observance of the said international agreement.However, double hull change takes long working period and itsconstruction expense often becomes large amount of money.

It is necessary to clean up the cargo oil of the oil tanker and the oilbarge completely because it is usual in this remodeling constructionwork to use the fire for cutting and welding of steel. However, duringlong engagement of the service, cargo oil soaks into rusted steel partin cargo oil tank surface, and it is difficult to clean up the oilthoroughly from the hull structure.

Therefore, the period of remodeling construction work tends to becomelong because the use of the fire is limited, and the stopping period ofthe service of the oil tanker and the oil barge of shingle hull alsotends to become long. Thus the remodeling construction work expendslarge amount of money and it requires long period leading to largeeconomic loss. This enforces to abandon to use a lot of oil tanker andoil barge of single hull physically still in usable state.

This invention is the one performed considering this circumstances, andis for the place in which it is assumed the purpose to have in thesimple structure, to offer the floating structure which oil tanker andthe oil barge of single hull can be changed into double hull.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a floating structure that has the central tank, thewing tank on right and left both sides of central tank, and the concaveportion formed between the central tank and the wing tank characterizedby being able to change the oil tanker or the oil barge of the singlehull to double hull by leading-in and fixing the oil tanker or the oilbarge of single hull to the floating structure.

According to this invention, the oil tanker or the oil barge of thesingle hull can be changed to double hull. Therefore, it comes to beable to use the oil tanker or the oil barge of single hull for thetransportation in the ocean and the river by observing the saidinternational agreement even if the expensive remodeling constructionwork of the oil tanker or the oil barge of single hull is not done.

Moreover, the economic profit when applying this invention is largebecause the floating structure of this invention is an easy compositiononly of the provision with the central tank, the wing tank on right andleft both sides of central tank and the concave portion, and theextraction work of the cargo oil from the oil tanker and the oil bargeof single hull becomes unnecessary and the stopping period of theservice of the oil tanker and the oil barge can be shorten.

It is desirable that the height of the side wall of the oil tanker orthe oil barge of the single hull doesn't exceed the height of wing tankabove central tank at the condition of the oil tanker or the oil bargeof the single hull being led into the said concave portion.

According to the invention, because the height of the side wall of theoil tanker or the oil barge of the single hull doesn't exceed the heightof the wing tank, cargo oil tank is enclosed entirely by the floatingstructure which has double hull. Of course the entrance of the floatingstructure has a gate. Therefore the oil tanker or the oil barge of thesingle hull led into the floating structure becomes the oil tanker oroil barge of double hull.

The said central tank and the wing tank are used as ballast tank.Pouring water into or discharging water from the said ballast tank isdone by pumping and or gravity utilizing the water-level differencebetween surface of the waters in the outside water line and that of theballast tank.

As the water is able to be poured into or discharged from the saidcentral tank and the wing tank, the floating structure is able to bemade submerged (in deeper draft) or emerged (in shallower draft). At thesubmerged condition, the oil tanker and the oil barge of single hull canbe led into the concave portion formed between the central tank and thewing tank.

By the way, it is often towed by the tugboat for the oil barge.According to this invention, the length, the width and the depth of oilbarge increase by providing double hull and it enlarges. Accordingly,the maneuverability towed by the tugboat will decrease and the towingspeed will decrease from the original tugboat and oil barge of singlehull. By the adoption of pushing method instead of towing method by thetugboat, attempting is desirable for the improvement of maneuverabilityand the speed improvement. In order to realize the pushing method, it isnecessary to have the connecting coupler at the gate. Connecting couplercan connect between tugboat and the floating structure which can makepossible to sail pushing the floating structure by tugboat. The gate isprovided behind the concave portion formed between the central tank andthe wing tank and can be opened and shut. The gate with a connectingcoupler like the invention is necessary.

As it is made to possible to sail pushing the floating structure at thegate by tugboat with connecting coupler, the improvement ofmaneuverability and the speed improvement can be aimed at. As a result,it becomes easy to sail the floating structure including oil tanker oroil barge of single hull according to the invention.

It is desirable to put the oil tanker or the oil barge of the saidsingle hull on the said central tank directly like the invention and tofix the wing tank and the oil tanker or the oil barge of the single hullwith fixing materials.

Because the oil tanker or the oil barge of the single hull is put on thecentral tank and the wing tank, the oil tanker or the oil barge of thesingle hull is fixed with fixing materials, the oil tanker and the oilbarge of single hull can be changed into those of double hull withoutusing the fire. Therefore safety can be secured, and the constructionperiod can be shortened according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagonal plan of the floating structure that liesin one execution form of this invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a plan of the floating structure that lies in oneexecution form of this invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a longitudinal section of the floating structurethat lies in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C illustrates a cross sectional side view of the floatingstructure that lies in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A illustrates a plan where the state to draw in the oil tanker orthe oil barge to the floating structure that lies in one execution formof this invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a longitudinal section that shows the state to drawin the oil tanker or the oil barge to the floating structure that liesin FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C illustrates a cross sectional side view where the state to drawin the oil tanker or the oil barge to the floating structure that liesin FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4 illustrates a longitudinal section that shows the state while theoil tanker or the oil barge is drawn into the floating structure thatlies in one execution form of this invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a conceptual diagram that shows the note drainage ofthe ballast tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates the floating structure that lies in one executionform of this invention, FIG. 2A illustrates a plan of the floatingstructure that lies in one execution form of this invention, FIG. 2Billustrates a longitudinal section of the floating structure that liesin FIG. 2A, FIG. 2C illustrates a cross sectional side view of thefloating structure that lies in FIG. 2A. Floating structure 1 that liesthis invention as shown in FIGS. 1,2A,2B,2C, possesses the hullstructure made of steel that can endure hydraulic pressure under thewater line, and gives necessary rust prevention painting, etc. Thisfloating structure 1 has central tank 10 where a front wall and thebottom of a structure are composed, wing tank 20 where a left wall iscomposed, wing tank 30 where a right wall is composed, and gate 40 thatcomposes a rear wall.

Central tank 10 has the floating body of the abbreviation box shape ofthe size of extent in which the oil tanker and oil barge of single hull80 can be accommodated. The fore end of this central tank 10 is steeplyinclined upward and the after part is dully inclined upward. The purposeis to reduce the water resistance generated when pushing the floatingstructure 1 (or towing it) by tugboat 60 and to improve the propulsiveefficiency.

Wing tank 20 has the shape of nearly box shape of the size of extent inwhich the side wall of the oil tanker and oil barge of single hull 80can be covered. This wing tank 20 has the shape that responds to theshape of central tank 10 and shape of gate 40. Wing tank 30 and wingtank 20 are symmetric.

Gate 40 has the floating body of nearly box shape of the size of extentof which width is sufficient to pass through the oil tanker and the oilbarge of single hull 80. This gate 40 can be detached or fixed to therear end part in the central tank 10 by surfacing and submerging whenthe floating structure 1 is submerged.

To push the floating structure 1 by tugboat 60, rear extension part 15is formed at gate 40. Connecting coupler 70 is fitted at the right andleft of rear extension part 15. Connecting coupler can connect thefloating structure 1 and tugboat 60 by engaging at two points. Inaddition, connecting coupler 75 may be provided at the front side ofrear extension part 15 of gate 40 as the floating structure 1 can beengaged with tugboat 60 at three points.

Connecting couplers 70 and 75 have the connecting part which can expandand contract by the hydraulically operated cylinder not shown in thefigure and installed on the tugboat 60. Tugboat can connect ordisconnect the floating structure 1 at the right and left places of gate40 at the aft of central tank 10, (or three places where connectingcoupler 75 was added forward).

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram that shows the pouring into ordischarging from the ballast tank. It is formed as shown in FIG. 5 withcentral tank 10 and right and left wing tanks 20 and 30 as one body.And, these are divided into two by the divisional wall right and leftrespectively, and it is divided into a suitable number. It explains inthis execution form in the case of division into five. As a result,central tank 10 and right and left wing tanks 20 and 30 consist of tenballast tanks 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R, in total. Moreover, gate 40consists of the ballast tank 6 that has the pouring and dischargingdevice not shown in the figure besides these.

Floating structure 1 has ballast pouring and discharging device 100.This ballast pouring and discharging device 100 provides with bell mouseBM, valve V, pump P, water suction box SB, outlet DC, and thoseconnecting pipes because of the pouring into and discharging from thesaid ballast tank 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R.

Valve V on the inlet side of the pump P concerned is opened, whenballast tank 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R is poured. As a result, usinggravity due to water-level difference between water line side (WL inFIG. 4) and the surface of the waters (Do not show in the figure) inballast tank 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R, water flows from water suctionbox SB into the ballast tank 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R, respectivelyand it is possible to make floating structure 1 subside.

Valve Von the inlet side and outlet side of the pump P concerned isopened, when ballast tank 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R is discharged, andpump P is driven. As a result, it is possible to make floating structure1 emerge by drawing up water in ballast tank 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . .5L,5R, and discharge overboard.

The pouring or discharging of ballast tank 6 is done with the portablepump or fixed pump not shown in the figure.

The schematic procedure to change oil tanker or oil barge of single hull80 to double hull by using this floating structure 1 is explained asfollows.

FIG. 3B is a drawing of longitudinal section that shows the state whilethe oil tanker or the oil barge is led into the floating structure 1 andFIG. 3C is a drawing of transverse section and FIG. 3A is a drawing ofplan. FIG. 4 is a drawing of longitudinal section that shows the statewhile the oil tanker or the oil barge is being led into the floatingstructure that lies in one execution form of this invention.

In the FIG. 5, Procedure to submerge or to emerge the floating structure1 is explained 1 as follows. First of all, this floating structure 1 ismade to subside as it is by pouring water into the ballast tank 1L, 1R,2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R. Water also enter into the concave portion 50 formedbetween the central tank and the wing tank through valves not shown inthe drawing. Pump P can adjust the amount of pouring water to theballast tanks in order to make posture be horizontal.

After the floating structure 1 submerged down to the level of draftwhere the oil tanker and oil barge of single hull 80 can be led into,gate 40 is detached and moved from floating structure 1 by pouring waterinto ballast tank 6 suitably so as to keep afloat alone.

Next, oil tanker and oil barge of single hull 80 are led into concaveportion 50 formed between central tank 10 and right and left wing tanks20 and 30 as shown in FIG. 4. The oil tanker and oil barge 80 are ledinto concave part 50 by the winch not shown in the figure of thefloating structure 1 through the wire not shown in the figure.

Next, gate 40 is moved to a prescribed position of floating structure 1and gate 40 is made to subside by pouring water into ballast tank 6 atgate 40 and the concave part 50 is closed by gate 40.

Next, floating structure 1 is made to emerge with the gate 40 closed.For this, water is discharged from the said ballast tank 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R,. . . 5L,5R and 6. Water also flow out from the concave portion 50through valves not shown in the drawing.

Then, it comes to put the oil tanker and the oil barge of the saidsingle hull 80 on central tank 10 directly. At this time, the height ofside wall of the oil tanker or the oil barge 80 of single hull doesn'texceed the height of wing tank 20 above central tank 10. As a result, itis possible to give double hull completely to all height of the sidewall of the oil tanker or the oil barge of single hull.

And, both are fixed by proper wedged shape bodies 90 that can be putinto the space between the side wall of the oil tanker or the oil bargeof single hull 80 and floating structure 1. Thus, it can be changed oiltanker and oil barge of single hull 80 to double hull without using thefire, and safe and prompt double hull changing work becomes possible.Normal remodeling construction work (double hull change) is notnecessary. Although four (4) wedged shape bodies 90 are shown in FIGS.3A, 3B, necessary numbers are fitted as required.

It is obtained the form shown in FIG. 1 by having the oil tanker or theoil barge of single hull 80 inside the floating structure 1 and by beingconnected by tugboat 60 at the rear extension part 15 of the gate 40 inthe back of central tank 10 floating structure 1 with connecting coupler70. As a result, oil tanker and oil barge of single hull 80 can be usedas with—double hull construction by utilizing the floating structure 1.

As a result, the remodeling construction work of oil tanker and oilbarge 80 becomes unnecessary because it can be changed oil tanker or oilbarge of the single hull 80 to double hull by adopting this invention.Therefore, it conies to be able to use oil tanker and oil barge ofsingle hull 80 for transportation in the ocean and the rivercontinuously.

This floating structure 1 is an easy composition only of the provisionwith wing tanks 20 and 30 on right and left both sides of central tank10 and gate 40. Moreover, the extraction work of the cargo oil from oilbarge of single hull 80 becomes unnecessary and the stopping serviceperiod of the oil tanker and oil barge 80 becomes shorten when thefloating structure 1 is built before hand.

In the said execution form, it independently provides with the ballastpouring or discharging device to make gate 40 submerge and surface andballast pouring or discharging device 100 to make floating structure 1submerge and surface. On the other hand, it is good as using bothcombined. Moreover, it may be provided with two or more pumps though onepump is shown in ballast pouring or discharging device 100.

Moreover, in the said execution, it explains the pouring water intoballast tank 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R of floating structure 1 and thedischarging water from ballast tank 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R offloating structure 1, are respectively done at the same time. On theother hand, with each valve V operation, the pouring or discharging ofballast tank 1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R can be controlled. As a result,the heel and trim adjustment of floating structure 1 can be easily done.

Moreover, in the said execution, it explains when floating structure 1is made to subside by pouring water with pump P into the ballast tank1L, 1R, 2L, 2R, . . . 5L,5R.

On the other hand, making floating structure 1 subside by pouring waterusing the water-level difference between the water level of ballasttanks and outside water level and gravity.

Moreover, it is assumed that gate 40 is submerged and surfaced bypouring water into or discharging water from the ballast tank 6 with thepouring- or discharging device not shown in the figure. On the otherhand, it is good as the opening and shutting of the gate 40 byhydraulically operated cylinder. In this case, the gate 40 is hinged towing tank 20 or wing tank 30.

Moreover, it is assumed that oil tanker or oil barge of single hull 80led into concave part 50 is put directly on the central tank 10 and isfixed to wing tanks 20 and 30 by wedged shape body 90 in the saidexecution form. On the other hand, the other method such as wire ropes,eye plates and bolts or other mechanics may be used as the fixation ofoil tanker or oil barge of single hull 80 with wing tanks 20 and 30.

Moreover, oil tanker or oil barge of single hull 80 led into concavepart 50 is put directly on the central tank 10 in the said executionform. On the other hand, oil tanker or oil barge of single hull 80 maybe put on the docking blocks temporary placed on the central tank 10that give the clearance height of about 2 m for instance. In this caseit is possible to paint the outer surface of oil tanker or oil barge ofsingle hull 80 before remodeling work. After painting work is finished,oil tanker or oil barge of single hull 80 is drawn out from concave part50, and the docking blocks temporary placed on the central tank 10 areremoved, and the remodeling work starts as mentioned above.

As a result, the oil tanker or of oil barge of single hull 80 becomespossible to paint the outer surface before remodeling work starts, andthe remodeling period can be reduced by eliminating docking at shipyardfor painting of outer surface.

What is claimed is:
 1. A floating structure comprising; A central tank;A wing tank on right and left sides of the central tank respectively;and A concave portion formed between the central tanks, wing tanks andthe gate. A gate on the aft of the central tank To be able to change anoil tanker or an oil barge of single hull into that of the double hullby leading into and fixing the oil tanker or the oil barge of singlehull in the concave portion formed between the central tanks and thewing tanks.
 2. The floating structure according to claim 1, wherein theheight of the side wall of the oil tanker or the oil barge of the singlehull doesn't exceed the height of the wing tank above the bottom of theconcave portion.
 3. The floating structure according to claim 1, whereinthe central tank and the wing tank is composed of the ballast tank. 4.The floating structure according to claim 1, comprising a gate that canopen and shut on the aft of the central tank.
 5. The floating structureaccording to claim 1, wherein it is possible to sail by connectingtugboat with the gate by the use of connecting coupler.
 6. The floatingstructure according to claim 1, wherein the oil tanker or the oil bargeof single hull is put on the central tank, and the oil tanker or the oilbarge of single hull is fixed to the wing tank with fixing materials.